Ditching and levee-building machine



May 29, 1928.

O. KW. SMITH DITCHING AND LEVEE BUILDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 8, 1926 May 29, 1928.

l o. w.\sM|TH DITCHING AND LEVEE BUILDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed March 8, 1926 May 29, 1928.

" O. w. SMITH DITCHING AND LEVEE BUILDING MACHINE Filed March B, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 @2W ZMN M11/less 5 Sheets- Sheet 4 o. w. SMITH DITCHING AND LEVEE BUILDING MACHINE Filed March a, 1926 'May 29, 1928.

May 29, 1928.

O. W. SMITH DITCHING AND LEVEE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Marone, 1926 5 sheets-sheet 5 la ATTORNEYS.

Patented May Z9, 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

oScAR W. SMITH, or CARLISLE, ARKANSAS, AsSIGNoR To EDNA R- SMITH, or

i CARLISLE,

ARKANSAS.

DITCHING AND LEVEE-BILDING MACHINE.

Application led March 8, 1926. Serial No. 93,117.

IThe present invention relates to ditching and levee building apparatus, with special reference to devices designed for use either.

in ditching operations or in the construction 5 of levees for irrigation purposes, as where the lay of the ground is such as to require not only the building ofl levees but also the construction of a network of ditches for drainage at stated intervals.

l Accordingly, I have devised an improved construction which comprises an apparatusV making use of a pair of wheels for supporting a frame carrying apair of grading members adapted to be adjusted for either collectl ing the earth along the line of travel of the machine into theform of a levee and depositing it firmly `and compactly in this levee form, or to operate in such a manner as to effect a ditching operation along the line-of travel instead of the levee building operation by simply ladjusting the position of the grading members to correspond.

The proposed improved construction is frame and the axle carrying the grading members are provided with means operating about the wheel axis to vary the elevation of the frame, and also for producing a supplemental raising and lowering movement of '30 the grading members relative to the frame. In this connection, means is also provided,

in the form of a yielding draft connection,

for assisting in the movement oflthe frame and grading members into elevated or inoperative position, and also for reinforcing ory assisting in the movement of the grading members into operative position, and hence rendering more effective the action of the grading members in their levee building v'operation.

In connection with the framework, provision is also made for readily and conveniently adjusting the elevation of said framework and also maintaining the same in any desired position of adjustment. Liliewise, provision is made for varying the relative position of the grading members, so that these may be arranged in various positions in either forwardly or rearwardly converging relation, and at diiferent` distances apart, andsecured in such positions according to whether the levee building or ditching operation is to be performed. f

It is also an `object `of the invention to provide a comparatively 'simple and 'yeti very embodied in an apparatus in which the* efficient form of construction, having a minimum numberof parts for eifectin therequired operations, with very simp e means of adjustments, and having practically no parts that are likely to get out of order. In relation to the draft connection to the apparatus, this also includes a yielding appliance operative to relieve the draft connec-v tion of any sudden or excessive tensions or strains that might otherwise occur,

With these general objects in view, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of arrangement and construction which I .have devised for embodying the proposed. improvements, after which those features and combinationsdeemed to 'be novel will be particularly set forth` and claimed. v e p In the drawingsl Figure 1 -is va plan view illustrating `a combined 'ditching and levee building apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, shown partly in section as indicated by the section line* II-II of Figure 1'; j w

Figure 3 is a similar view,but illustrating the frame and Agrading members lowered, as requiredfor the levee building operation; f

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View, representing a vertical section on the line IV--IV of Figure 2, but on a larger scale;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view, representing a section on the lline V- VofvFigure 4;

trating the parts-in the position assumed f thereby in the relation illustrated'in Figure 3;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are detail sectional views takenon the section lines VII--'VII.r

VIII-VIII and IX-IX, respectively, of Figure 4; and y Figure 10 isa plan view similar to Figure 1, but showingthe grading members adjusted into position for effecting the ditching operation; f

Referring now to they drawings in detail,v these illustrate the improved apparatus as comprising a supporting frameworklQ of si'n'ufablyy braced` yangle iron construction' adaptedpto be mounted upon carried by a transverse aai@ i4, the. ms which are provided with eccentric members upon which are mounted thehubs 16 of a pairvof wheels 17 (see Figure 4). The midportion of the axle 14 is also provided with a pair of spaced eccentric members 18 and19 rig'- vided.with a bami-operated pawl 23 adapted to beengaged at different points along the ycurved raclr member 29, according to the position of adjustment of the lever 26, as will be later explained.

Betweeneach of the bearing blocks 21 and adjacentwheel 17, the axle 14 carries a sectional bearing bloelrcomposed of sections 30, 31, connected by a hinge pin 32 and adapted to be secured at various points along the axle 14 by means of clamping screws or bolts 33 (.see'Figurel). In the top portion of eachbearing block section 3() is pivotally mounted. the forward end of a hanger arm 35, which is of curved form as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The rear and lower ends of the hanger arms 35 are received in eye bolts 36, the shanlrsof which are carried inl slots 37 provided in the outwardly projecting flanges or webs 33 of the bearing braclrets39, of which brackets 39 a pair is secured to the outer faces ofeach of a pair of grading members 4() as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The slots 37 are wide enough to allow the eye portions of the bolts 36 to be ldrawn into said slots as the bolts are tightened, and thereby clamp the arms 3Fr rigidly against saidllange portions 38 of the brackets 39. The rear bracket plate 39 of each grading member 40 is similarly fitted with eye bolts 36 for, receiving a vertical bolt or post 48 depending from a split clamp bearing 41 formed of sections hinged together as indicated at 42 and adapted to be `clampedin various positions of adjust- .ment along a transverse supporting rod or bar 43, the clamping action of each bearing 43 being etl'ected by means of screws 44. The opposite end portions of the rod or bar 43 arey slidingly supported by means of hanger members 45 rigidly secured to the underside` of the rear end portion of the frame 12, and at the opposite sides thereof,

endwisemovement of the bar 43 beingprevented by means of set collars 46.

Between the forward converging ends of the framework 12 is secured a horizontal bearing plate and valso a pairof spaced vert-ical plates 51 forming a Vuideway provided with rollers 58 for slidingly accommodating an irregularly shaped draw bar 52 'to in forward position.

which a suitable draft connection may be made by means of the clevis 53 at its forwardend. To the rear end of the bar 52 is attached one end of ya chain 5 9, the other end of which is lixedly secured to the plate 50. The chain 59 operates around a pulley 60 attached to the forward end of a strong coil expansion spring 54, which in turn is adapted to be adjustably connected, as by means of the hook 55 and chain links 56, to the midpoint of the axle 14, said connection being made so as to maintain a tension in the spring in all positions'of the bar 52, including the retracted position thereof illustrated in Figure 2. The flexible connection provided by the links 56 is engaged by a spring steeltinger 61 which is attached to the axle-by the same fastening which holds the hoolr55, this finger 61 serving to provide a leverage action yfor the spring 54 in helping to lift the grading members to inoperative position. `The forward end' of the members or blades extending in ove'r- .v

hanging relation in order to Vfacilitate the l packing of the material being graded `when used to effect the levee building operation, with 'the blades arranged in forwardly conver} ,in, relation as illustrated in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 2 and 5, these views` show the machine ini its inoperative position, that is,.with the frame and the` grading members elevated, andthe lever 26 latched With this adjustment of the parts, it ywill be noted that the eccentrics 15, 18 and 19 are all turnedto bring their centers above the centers oraxis of the wheels 17, and from the'A method of connecting the spring 54 it will be noted that the line of action of this spring, beingl at this time above the axis of the wheels, is such that the springs actionA will -tend to accentuate the movement of the parts into the position illustrated in Figure 2, and thereafter help 'to retain the parts in this position, withi the weight of the forward portion of 'the apparatus (that is, in front of the wheel axis) supported upon the draw bar 52 and its connections. Now when it is desired to operate the lever 26 to .place the apparatus in van operative position, the lever is moved backward, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, which movement of thelever will, of course, be in opposition to the action of the spring 54, but as soon as the axis of the lll@ eccentrics passes to the rear of the wheel axis the weight of the grading members and their connections, as well as any vpull being exerted through the draft chainsl 57, will automatically lower the same into operative position. In this lowered position, illustrated in Figure 3, it will be seen that the line of draft is now appreciably below the wheel axis, and-the draft pull therefore simply serves to increase.I they biting or digging act-ion of the graders, or, in the levee building operation, this arrangement of ther draft materially assists in the packing of the levee, as will be readily understood.

In swinging the lever 26 forward again to lift the grading members tothe position illustrated'in Figure 2, the spring 54 assists in this movement, by tending to rota-te the axle in the proper direction for lifting the graders, which action of the spring is aided by the linger member 61, as above explained.

The provision of the chain 59 and pulley between the draft bar 52 reduces the extent of expansion movement required o'f the spring. tion with the iexible draft connections 57 has the furtherv advantage of relieving the draft of any sudden or excessive 'shocks or strains, to which afixed and yunyielding draft connection would otherwise be subjected. The angular form of the draft bar enables lit to accommodate the rockingmovement of the machine from the position shown in Figure 2 to that illustrated in F igure '3, and at the same time keep the line of draft through the chainsl practically unchanged. j Y

The use of the two sets of eccentric members provides for the movement ofthe grading members 40 in unison with the frame 12 to a greater extent than would be provided' for by but'one set of eccentrics, and in addition the provision of the bracket arms 30 and hanger arms 35 affords a stillk further degree of movement of the'grading members 40 relatively to the frame 12; this enables the grading members to be set for operation to any depth ythat may ordinarily be required, and alsoenables the grading members to Abe 'elevated to any extent -that may ordinarily be required in the levee building operatiomand with asuflicient clearance above the ground when in inoperative position as shown in Figure 2. Of course, it is obvious that the parts may be kept in any desired adjusted position, according to the range of adjustment provided by the curved segment 29.

Whatever adjustments of the gradin members 40 may be required are provide by the method of connecting the same to the bearing members attached to the axle 14 and the transverse rod or bar 43. That isto say, since the bearing elements to which the hanger arms 35 are attached may be shifted rlhe use of this spring in combinaalong the axle 14, and the bearings supportl ing the posts or rods 48 maybe similarly. shifted along the rod or bar 43, it is apparent that the grading members 40 may be adjusted to permit of aA relatively approaching or separating movement of either their forward or rear ends to vsuit any particular conditions of operation. The method of attaching the grading members also enables them to be readily detached and reassembled in forwardly converging relation, as shownV in Figure 1,0, for the ditching operation, the bearing connections for the hanger elements of the graders beingshifted along the axle and the rod 43-as above explained. l y

It is thus apparent that I have provided a practical and eilicient apparatus for fulfilling the desired objects of the invention,

rand that all the necessary operations are provided for in a construction requiring but two supporting wheels and a single axle connect-ing said wheels, it being apparent, that the rear end portion of the "supportingr frame is free to rockup and down aboutl the axis of the wheels .in response to the varying amount of material encountered by the grading members. Itis lthus, seen that theapparatus is reduced to a very 'simple form of constructionrand yet one which ful'- lills all operating requirements,both as a ditching' and levee building machine. 'and while I have illustrated what is now thought to be the preferred'form of construction, l desire to reserve the right/to make all such changes or modifications as may fairly fall within the scope of thev appended claims.

'l/Vhat I'claim is: 1. An apparatus 'of the character described comprising a frame, a pair of grading Inombers connected to said frame, a pair of i' wheels supporting said frame, eccentric means operating about the axis vof said wheels to varyl thc elevation of said frame, and means actuated yby said 'first means for imparting to the forward ends of said grading members a stilly greater' extent of raising and lowering movement than that imparted to said frame.

2. An apparatus of .the character ydescribed comprising a pair of supporting wheels, a frame provided with a pair of grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supj'iorting said frame, eccentric members associated with said axle and operable, on turning of the axle, to raise land lower said. frame, and means also actuated, on turning of the axle, to impartto the forward ends of said grading members a still greater extent of raising and lowering movement than that imparted to said. frame.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a frame, a pair of gradingk members connected to said frame, a pair of wheels supporting said frame, adjusting means including eccentric elements mounted withinftlie hub portions ot the wheels and operating about the axis of said wheels to vary the elevat-ion ot said frame, and yielding means cooperating with said eccentric elements in effecting the raising movements of the frame. t

4i. An apparat-us of the character described comprising a pair of supporting wheels, a frame provided with. a pair oi grading members, anv axle connecting the said wheels and supporting said trame, eccentric members associated with said axle and operable, on turning ot the axle, to raise and lower said traine, and a spring member con ected to said axle and operating to assist in the raising movements oit said trame.

5. An apparatus oit the character described comprising a pair oit support-ing wheels, a iframe provided with a pair of grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting said. frame, eccentric members associated with said axle and opera-ble, on turning et the axle, to raise and lower said tram-c, and a dra'tt de* vice provided with a yspring connected to said axle and arranged to assistin the raising movements otl said trame.

6. An apparatus oli the character described comprising av pair ot supporting wheels, a frame provided with a pair ot grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting said frame, adjusting means operable, on turning oft the axle, to raise and lower said frame, and a draft device provided with flexible connections to said axle and also with a spring connected to said axle and arranged to assist in the raising movements otfsaid trame.

7. An apparatus olf' the character described comprisiiig a pair of supporting wheels, a trame provided with a pair of grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting said traine. and adjusting means operative to raise and lower said trame and simultaneously impart raising and lowering movements ot still greater extent to said grading members.

8. An apparatus. ot the character described comprising a pair ot' supporting` wheels. a 'frame 'provided with a pair ot grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting` said trame,

means for turning said axle to adjust the.

gradingmembers, and connections between said grading members and axle including arms also actuated, on turning of the axle,`

and lowering the frame and also raising and lowering the forward ends ot the grading meinbei's relative to the rtrame.

l0. An apparatus of the character described comprising a pair oi` supporting wheels, a frame provided with a pair ot grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting said frame,`

means i'ior connecting said gradino' members to said Jirame and axle and including crank elements: operative to raise and lower the 'forward ends ot the grading members relatively to the trame, said crank elements being adjustable along said axle` for varying the distance between said forward ends ot.

the grading members.

l1. An apparatus of the ycharacter -described comprising yaj pair of supporting wheels, a frame. provided with ak pair of grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supportingsaid trame, means for connecting said grading members to said trame and'axle and including crank elements operative on turning the axle to raise and lower the grading members, and.

a draft device provided with connections to said` axle tending to turn. the latter in a direction to lower said gradingmembers.

12. An apparatus ot the character described comprising a pair ot :supporting` wheels. a frame provided with a pairot grading members, an axle connecting the said wheels and supporting saidtrame, and adjusting. means including eccentric elements operating within the hub portions of the wheels tor raising and lowering the trame and also crank. elements connected toY said grading members for raising and lowering the latter relativelyY to the frame. y

ln witness whereof I hereunto aliix in v signature.

OSCAR lV, SMITH. 

